Meta-Analysis Comparing Drug-Coated Balloon Versus Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty for In-Stent Restenosis of Coronary Arteries.

Despite the advent of newer stents, in-stent restenosis has been a persistent and formidable challenge. Trials have demonstrated the superiority of drug-coated balloons over plain old balloon angioplasty. A recent AGENT IDE PRESTO (Prevention of REStenosis with Tranilast and its Outcomes) trial highlighted the need for a more comprehensive understanding; therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to elucidate their respective clinical outcomes.

Assessing the Efficacy of RADPAD Protection Drape in Reducing Radiation Exposure to Operators in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

One of the leading environmental hazards, ionizing radiation, is linked to several detrimental health consequences in the body. RADPAD (Worldwide Innovations & Technologies, Inc., Kansas City, Kansas) is a sterile, lead-free, lightweight, disposable radiation protection shield.

Late thrombosis of Gore Cardioform septal occluder device in a patient with history of patent foramen ovale closure.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a flaplike opening in the fossa ovalis; between the septum primum and secundum. It is highly prevalent with approximately 25% of the population having a PFO. It is usually asymptomatic but can rarely cause paradoxical embolism leading to stroke and/or significant right to left shunting causing hypoxia.

Is Concomitant Mitral Stenosis Associated With Worse Outcomes in Patients Who Underwent TAVR? Insights from a National Database.

Concomitant mitral stenosis (MS) is present in 10% to 15% of all patients who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Our aim is to assess outcomes of TAVR in patients with MS using a national database. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to identify patients who underwent TAVR from 2015 to 2020.

Disparities in Acute Coronary Syndrome Outcomes in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of National Inpatient Sample.

Background: Individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) are at similar risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as compared to general population. However, there is a paucity of real-world data evaluating outcomes of ACS in this population. We sought to study ACS outcomes in individuals with IDs using a large national database.

Advances in viral oncolytics for treatment of multiple myeloma - a focused review.

Introduction: Oncolytic viruses are genetically engineered viruses that target myeloma-affected cells by detecting specific cell surface receptors (CD46, CD138), causing cell death by activating the signaling pathway to induce apoptosis or by immune-mediated cellular destruction.

Areas Covered: This article summarizes oncolytic virotherapy advancements such as the therapeutic use of viruses by targeting cell surface proteins of myeloma cells as well as the carriers to deliver viruses to the target tissues safely. The major classes of viruses that have been studied for this include measles, myxoma, adenovirus, reovirus, vaccinia, vesicular-stomatitis virus, coxsackie, and others.

COVID-19 and Its Psychological Impacts on Healthcare Staff - A Multi-Centric Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Since the first case of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Pakistan was reported in February 2020, the medical and paramedical staff has been working on the frontlines to deal with this disease. They have been facing significant strain and stress due to the pandemic, affecting their social, mental, and personal life. The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, etiology, personal coping mechanisms, and the strategies that are being adopted to reduce stress by the healthcare workers (HCWs) working in COVID-19 dedicated wards (group 2) and compare it with staff working in other departments but not in COVID-19 wards amid this pandemic (group 1) in various hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan.

Patterns of Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Direct Antiviral Agents and Pegylated-Interferon Therapy.

Introduction:  The impact of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial and a part of the scientific community believes it as a biased interpretation of data. Many studies have reported an aggressive pattern of HCC after DAA use. In this study, we attempted to assess the changes in the pattern of HCC after treatment with DAAs or PI (PEG, pegylated-interferon).